What’s going on with community radio in London?

Ever taken the car in to get it serviced and found your radio re tuned to a station you’ve never heard of when you got it back? Perhaps this says more about my old car and choice of garage than anything else but it is a bit of a worry as it’s supposed to be my job to know about radio options in London!

Broadcasting tec, short licences, quality presenters and producers mean that the output of a lot of these stations is incredibly professional. I think I’d be keeping an eye on these if I was messers Bauer or Global as there’s a lot of good things they’re doing that must be biting a chunk out of the big station audiences. Most of these stations are not for profits funded by grants or run as charities. None are recorded on RAJAR – the industry audience evaluation system, but that’s mostly because of the cost to be part of the program. If you’re not selling advertising then there’s not much point in shelling out to be included but I’ll bet some of these stations pick up tens of thousands of listeners and all the big boys would love those numbers!

So here’s a bit research on 10 stations broadcasting 24 hours a day that you can pick up anywhere in London. I trust you’ll find this interesting and you’ll open up your radio listening to try out some of these station – its fascinating what you can find when you allow your car to be serviced in the West London independent garage sector…

The Beat

Formerly known as BANG Radio, The Beat London provides the freshest in urban sounds, broadcasting live from its North-West London studio 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via 103.6fm, online and available using TheBeat1036 and the Tune In App. The Beat London 103.6fm promotes itself as “London’s number one urban community radio station for young people”

Flex Radio

Flex FM originally started life as a pirate radio station. Flex broadcasts House, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, UK Garage, Old Skool, Reggae and Soul to London and the surrounding area on 101.4FM.

Omega

Omega is London’s anti-knife and anti-gun crime community radiostation. Omega FM’s vision is to reach Afro-Caribbean and other inner London Borough Communities in addressing issues of Social, Economic and Education and most of all the ever-growing presence of Gun and Knife crimes. The stations focus is to encourage positive development of children, young people and families within the communities of inner London Boroughs’ by actively supporting the local areas.

Origin

Origin is an on line station boasting over 15,000 listeners- Live drum n’bass

Unique Radio

Playing the best in urban Soul, Gospel, R & B, Reggae, Dancehall and Revival. Unique Radio broadcasts 24 hours per day online and features a diverse selection of UK’s top DJs and presenters. Its shows focus on celebrity interviews, music news and competitions. Unique Radio has been broadcasting for 23 years serving the community near and far.

Select Radio

Select Radio is an online radio station based in London. Built with the love of anthemic uplifting melodies, rising snares and heavy kick drums in mind, the station appeals to a youth-based audience and provides listeners will favourite Select DJs, music, club & festival news from London to around the globe.

Roots FM

Roots FM has been running since 1999 broadcasting on 95.4FM in the NW London area and online. Playing the best in roots, revival, soul, R&B, gospel, reggae, dancehall along with news, community information and talk topics.

Reprezent

Reprezent 107.3 FM is a youth-led radio station that reaches young people aged between 13 and 25 across London. Reprezent 107.3FM broadcasts live across London. Playing grime, UK rap and Hip Hop, electronic and bass, House and alternative music, and champions youth culture. Reprezent provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents but also to discuss social issues. T

Don City

Don City is a youth community station based in Hackney, London and is available online/via app. Its programming includes Grime, Hip Hop & RnB music -live studio hosts, DJs and spoken word poets and has a young, urban audience. This station broadcasts online only.

Divine Radio

Divine Radio has been broadcasting for just over 18 months and offers its listeners a wide variety of electronic music 24/7 365 days a year. They have over 25 dedicated DJs who are focused on providing new music to its loyal listeners.

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